Dental Assistants vs Phlebotomists: Salary Comparison

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024).

National Salary Overview

Dental Assistants

Median Salary
$46,211
Average (Mean)
$46,931
Employed Nationwide
370,670
VS

Phlebotomists

Median Salary
$40,758
Average (Mean)
$42,260
Employed Nationwide
136,480
Dental Assistants earns $5,452 more (13.4%)

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $46,211 $40,758
Average (Mean) Salary $46,931 $42,260
Total Employment 370,670 136,480
States with Higher Pay 41 8

Salary by State: Dental Assistants vs Phlebotomists

Showing 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. Dental Assistants pays more in 41 states; Phlebotomists pays more in 8.

State Dental Assistants Phlebotomists Difference
Alabama $36,120
$36,190
$-70
Alaska $51,820
$44,990
+$6,830
Arizona $48,190
$41,210
+$6,980
Arkansas $38,590
$36,880
+$1,710
California $48,210
$49,120
$-910
Colorado $48,950
$45,450
+$3,500
Connecticut $49,510
$45,950
+$3,560
Delaware $46,320
$47,980
$-1,660
Florida $46,600
$37,910
+$8,690
Georgia $45,670
$39,920
+$5,750
Idaho $37,700
$38,740
$-1,040
Illinois $43,590
$44,530
$-940
Indiana $46,380
$37,390
+$8,990
Iowa $47,580
$37,740
+$9,840
Kansas $39,290
$37,870
+$1,420
Kentucky $38,530
$37,270
+$1,260
Louisiana $38,180
$34,470
+$3,710
Maine $47,060
$39,400
+$7,660
Maryland $47,920
$45,990
+$1,930
Massachusetts $58,860
$47,220
+$11,640
Michigan $45,740
$38,830
+$6,910
Minnesota $62,870
$42,090
+$20,780
Mississippi $36,710
$32,780
+$3,930
Missouri $45,760
$38,440
+$7,320
Montana $44,400
$38,150
+$6,250
Nebraska $44,480
$36,360
+$8,120
Nevada $46,330
$38,250
+$8,080
New Hampshire $56,360
$45,560
+$10,800
New Jersey $46,790
$46,770
+$20
New Mexico $38,480
$38,940
$-460
New York $45,590
$48,510
$-2,920
North Carolina $47,000
$39,220
+$7,780
North Dakota $57,040
$40,100
+$16,940
Ohio $46,450
$38,110
+$8,340
Oklahoma $38,940
$35,880
+$3,060
Oregon $57,040
$46,990
+$10,050
Pennsylvania $46,680
$42,790
+$3,890
Rhode Island $47,120
$45,640
+$1,480
South Carolina $46,490
$37,510
+$8,980
South Dakota $47,490
$36,240
+$11,250
Tennessee $45,190
$36,620
+$8,570
Texas $39,640
$40,880
$-1,240
Utah $37,140
$36,720
+$420
Vermont $49,730
$39,900
+$9,830
Virginia $48,000
$43,560
+$4,440
Washington $55,700
$49,130
+$6,570
West Virginia $37,360
$36,560
+$800
Wisconsin $45,970
$44,600
+$1,370
Wyoming $47,450
$35,810
+$11,640

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Dental Assistants or Phlebotomists?
On average across all states, a Dental Assistants earns more than a Phlebotomists. The national median salary difference is $5,452 (13.4%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Dental Assistants earn more than a Phlebotomists?
A Dental Assistants earns a higher median salary than a Phlebotomists in 41 out of 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Phlebotomists pays more in 8 states.
What is the median salary for a Dental Assistants vs Phlebotomists?
The national median salary for a Dental Assistants is $46,211 per year, compared to $40,758 for a Phlebotomists, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Dental Assistants or Phlebotomists?
There are more people employed as Dental Assistants. BLS reports approximately 370,670 Dental Assistants positions and 136,480 Phlebotomists positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Dental Assistants or Phlebotomists?
Both Dental Assistants and Phlebotomists are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.

Compare After-Tax Take-Home Pay

See what each role actually pays after federal, state, and FICA taxes.